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Gal Goes Solo

The blog

Solo travel, written from inside it

24+ articles, all written from a hut in Chalok, Koh Tao. No "top 10" lists. The thing I wish I'd been able to read before I came.

Koh Tao Travel Consulting | Solo Travel Advice Thailand
Thailand islands and beach life

Koh Tao Travel Consulting | Solo Travel Advice Thailand

If you've been researching Koh Tao and feeling slightly overwhelmed, I understand. This small island in the Gulf of Thailand is just 21 square kilometers, yet it has an outsized online presence. There

Feb 12, 2026 6 min read
Koh Tao Sea Turtles in Shark Bay, Thailand
Thailand islands and beach life

Koh Tao Sea Turtles in Shark Bay, Thailand

On the southern tip of Koh Tao lies Shark Bay , a crescent of turquoise water known for its resident sea turtles. It's one of the few places in Thailand where you can still swim alongside these wild c

Dec 15, 2025 8 min read
Unlocking the Secret Wisdom of Koh Tao
Thailand islands and beach life

Unlocking the Secret Wisdom of Koh Tao

If you have visited Koh Tao or are lucky enough to stay here long-term, read on to learn the secret wisdom of Koh Tao.

Jun 24, 2024 4 min read
Oh Koh Lanta! One of Thailand's Most Mysterious Islands
Thailand islands and beach life

Oh Koh Lanta! One of Thailand's Most Mysterious Islands

Koh Lanta is about 85 kilometers south of Krabi, just south of the Andaman Coast. There are 2 main ways to get to this tropical island. One is to take a ferry from neighboring destinations or by vehic

Dec 17, 2022 8 min read
Travel to Koh Yao Noi- Paradise Found in Thailand
Thailand islands and beach life

Travel to Koh Yao Noi- Paradise Found in Thailand

About an hour away by speedboat from both Phuket and the Krabi, Koh Yao Noi is located in Phang Nga Bay. There is a larger sister island called Koh Yoa Yai to the south and I was surprised to learn th

Jul 15, 2022 2 min read
The Magic of Railay Beach- Krabi, Thailand
Thailand travel tips

The Magic of Railay Beach- Krabi, Thailand

Railay is a charming town in Thailand, nestled between Ao Nang and Krabi. Only accessible by boat and it is famous for its towering limestone cliffs. This small peninsula is a dream destination for ro

Apr 27, 2022 11 min read
Life Aboard a Liveaboard in Thailand Scuba Diving
Thailand travel tips

Life Aboard a Liveaboard in Thailand Scuba Diving

A liveaboard is a scuba vessel with sleeping quarters, a place to eat, a briefing area, and a diving deck to prepare equipment. It is the best way to experience the remote dive sites in the Similan Is

Apr 7, 2022 7 min read
Culture Shock- 48 hours in Patong Phuket Thailand
Thailand travel tips

Culture Shock- 48 hours in Patong Phuket Thailand

When I booked my trip, I wasn't sure where I should stay for the required 7 days at an SHA-approved hotel through the Sandbox Program (see my post about entry requirements for Thailand for more detail

Mar 24, 2022 5 min read
The Journey to the Other Side of the World
Leading up to solo travel

The Journey to the Other Side of the World

On November 10th, 2021, I packed my bags, said goodbye to my family and friends, and headed to the airport. I had gone to REI the weekend before and bought a Cotopaxi medium-sized backpack, a smaller

Mar 23, 2022 4 min read
So.... Why Thailand???
Leading up to solo travel

So.... Why Thailand???

Thailand... It's literally the other side of the world from Boise, Idaho. I had been to Mexico many times and could get home in 8 hours if I needed. I also considered spending the winter in Belize or

Mar 17, 2022 2 min read
The Fallout before the Fall- Part 2~ The Flood
Leading up to solo travel

The Fallout before the Fall- Part 2~ The Flood

What led to my decision to come to Thailand and check out of my life as I knew it? In early June 2021, I returned from Honduras feeling refreshed and relaxed, excited to return to some sort of normal

Jan 23, 2022 5 min read
Elephants in Thailand
Thailand travel tips

Elephants in Thailand

At a sanctuary, the elephants are not chained up, and there is no riding on them. Ask locals about which places are ethical and take good care of their elephants.

Jan 15, 2022 3 min read
The Fallout Before the Fall- Part 1
Leading up to solo travel

The Fallout Before the Fall- Part 1

January 1st, 2021. The worst was over, right? The orange guy was out of the office, toilet paper was back on the shelves, and things were starting to look up. My son had a terrible November and Decemb

Jan 6, 2022 3 min read